Other than third-world suppliers, there are three established, major manufacturers of NG (sometimes four when Bow decides to make tennis strings). He's burned his bridges with Pacific, so not so many options for OEM. Even though his CS is sketchy, I believe it is more of a supply issue.

received a email from Fred last week saying he was in business but having issues with **** and I could order direct from him. I am importing the best gut I have used since running out of his product. I am at about $20 a set for premium quality with consistent size. Ordered black from the bay and 3 sets in customers rackets broke at low tension within a few sets. Had to replace all at NC. Mamba did not work for me either. Love the new gut but it takes about 14 days to arrive and I have to order large quantities. I string 10-20 sets a month.

received a email from Fred last week saying he was in business but having issues with **** and I could order direct from him. I am importing the best gut I have used since running out of his product. I am at about $20 a set for premium quality with consistent size. Ordered black from the bay and 3 sets in customers rackets broke at low tension within a few sets. Had to replace all at NC. Mamba did not work for me either. Love the new gut but it takes about 14 days to arrive and I have to order large quantities. I string 10-20 sets a month.

Ordered black from the bay and 3 sets in customers rackets broke at low tension within a few sets. Had to replace all at NC.

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Its things like this that keep me purchasing quality nat. gut as I typically only stock Wilson or VS gut, and since it is expensive I charge appropriately for it and I don't have to worry about issues like what you have.Anyone can sell a racquet but the string job has your signature to it sort of speaking, so I offer the best I can so less chance of issues, as if I use a cheap product it reflects back on me. Bottom line if I spend my time to string, its only a quality string and I charge appropriately for it and if that what the customer wants then they know what it will cost.

Those 3 sets that you had to replace, cost you time and $ so how can offering a cheap product help anyone? My thoughts are if a customer wants nat. gut, offer a quality one and at a rate you are happy to string it at and all should be happy.If they want a cheap gut let them go some place else, and some one else can deal with those issues that come up that goes with it.

I heard from Fred last night and he is still in business. He was unhappy with service from the bay but I can order directly thru him and pay thru the "Pal".
I have had great service from him. One set broke during stringing and he quickly replaced it for me. Delivery has also been prompt.

Its things like this that keep me purchasing quality nat. gut as I typically only stock Wilson or VS gut, and since it is expensive I charge appropriately for it and I don't have to worry about issues like what you have.Anyone can sell a racquet but the string job has your signature to it sort of speaking, so I offer the best I can so less chance of issues, as if I use a cheap product it reflects back on me. Bottom line if I spend my time to string, its only a quality string and I charge appropriately for it and if that what the customer wants then they know what it will cost.

Those 3 sets that you had to replace, cost you time and $ so how can offering a cheap product help anyone? My thoughts are if a customer wants nat. gut, offer a quality one and at a rate you are happy to string it at and all should be happy.If they want a cheap gut let them go some place else, and some one else can deal with those issues that come up that goes with it.

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I will have to disagree with you. Most players agree that natural gut is one of the best string for tennis either full bed or in hybrid setups. The problem is they priced the product out of the market. Most players will not pay 50-60 for a gut setup. I started experimenting with less expensive alternatives. I strung a lot of Klip, Global, and Preformax with no problems and could price them at $35. Now that Pmaxx is unattainable I tried Mamba and a black gut on the bay. Both were unacceptable but I had informed the customers I was trying out new gut string and when they prematurely broke I strung everything up for free. Sure it cost me a little money but I saw it as a investment in the business and since I had informed them beforehand it was no issue. I am now importing a beautiful smooth gut, with excellent consistently and I have about $20 in it with shipping. Again I can give my customers the joy of a full bed and a gut poly combo at half the price and the gut will last twice as long as anything else out there. Not to mention all of the great properties of natural gut and gut/poly combos.

If it is that hard to get this string is it really worth chasing this guy down to get it? I'd be leery of doing that. I'd find another gut string that is easier to find.

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Not at all hard to get. Its international shipping because it comes from the point of manufacture so it takes 10-14 days to get to me. I cant find a low cost premium gut here in the USA so as long as you are going to find another one please let me know where to buy it from. Remember I said quality so when you buy the string from wherever you have to test it to make sure. It cost me about $100 and several hours of my time for this process to ensure my customers were getting a quality product. So when you find it let us know.